PUKEKAWA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 70, 16 August 1915, Page 2

PUKEKAWA.

A very enjoyable farewell sucial was held iu the Pukekawa Hall oo August 3rd, in honour of Trooper Frank Clarke, of the 6th Contingent, who is leaving for the tiont. During patriotic 'remarks, it was mentioned that Trooper Clarke is the fourth brother serving under the colours, and that a sister is also serving in the Red Cross Society. Dancing and musical items were indulged in until a late hour, excellent music being supplied by Messrs Campbell and Clarke. Mr E. Morrison, nude an efficient M.C. The gathering closed with the sinigng of the National Anthem.

PUKEKAWA FARMERS' DISPUTE. CLAIM AND COUNTER-CLAIM. At the silting- of the Mercer Magistrate's Court on Thursday last Mr J?. V. Frazer S.M , commenced the healing of an action in which Alexander Keyes, farmer, Pukekawa (Mr F. H. Levicn), claimed from Alfred Sharp?, farmer, Pukekawa (Mr H. H. Ostler), t*ie sum of £23 21s, made up as follows, viz., Money lent £4 Bs, overpayment in respect to 32 chains of draining at plaintiff's tarm at Orton at 7s per chain £ll 4s, and £8 far money paid in advance to defendant on a contract for draining at Orton, which defendant refused to perform. Defendant coutar-claimed for £7B Bs, as follows:—To grazing 84 head of cattle fron the 23 d December, 1914, to 30tb April, 1915, £6B Bb, and balance due to defendant in a statement of accounts supplied tj plaintiff £lO.

Plaintiff stated that in 1911 he made arrangements with defendant to drain 120 chains of rougb swamp op hi 3 property at Ortnn, for which defendant was to be paid at the rate of 7a per chain. When defendant informed him that he bad finished the drain witness paid him in full, but later, after meabuiing the drain, he found that only 88 chains of draining had been completed. The sum ot £4 Bs, for which he was claiming was not actually money he had lent defendant, bjit £1 of it was. Tbe balance was tbe difference that existed between their accounts. The balance of the . account, £B, was tbs value of work which remained unfinished in a drain which plaintiff had paid defendant for. Lojs had been 1 ft in the bottom of the drain, and it was not dug according to the specifications. In reeard to the cjunterclaim, plaintiff stated that everyone ia the locality used the land in question, and tbat defendant had no title to it. Defendant denied that there was any balance of monies owing to plaintiff by him. All had been "squared up." In regard to the drain he dii in 1911 for plaiotif, Mr Keyes passed the work, and be accordingly took it for granted tbat it was satisfactory. Tbe first intimation ha received that it was not was when he received the Rummons. In regard to the last piece of draining he did for plaintiff, he went ovrr it again at plaintiff's request and removed logs from tbe bottom and Mr Keyes pabsed it With reference to the counter-claim, be stated tbat in 1909 he acquued an interest in 200 acres of native land, to which he still had the right and of wbich be was the occupier. In December last plaintiff put 84 bead of cattle on tbe property, aiid it was understood that witness would nut charge him for grazing for one or two weeks, but when be requested plaintiff to take them away be would not, and defendant informed him that he would charge hiin grazing at the rate of Is per bead for tbe grown cattle and 6d for calves, wbicb he did.

At this 6tage the caRB was adjourned tor further hearing at tbe next sitting of the Pukekohe S.M. Court, on the 19th inst.